Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective See 3d minion.
  • transitive verb R. & Obs. To flatter.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Small and cute; pretty in a delicate way; dainty.
  • noun French history One of the court favourites of Henry III.
  • noun rare A cute person; a pretty child.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French mignon, from Middle French mignon ("lover, darling, favourite"), from Old French mignot ("dainty, pleasing, gentle, kind"), from Frankish *minnjo ("love, friendship, affection, memory"), from Proto-Germanic *minþijō, *mindijō (“affectionate thought, care”), from Proto-Indo-European *men-, *mnā- (“to think”). Cognate with Old High German minnja ("love, care, affection, desire, memory"), Old Saxon minnea ("love"). More at mind. Compare also minion and Dutch minnen ("to love").

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Examples

  • He attached a tiny light called a mignon lamp to the end of a rod that he inserted into his scopes.

    NYT > Home Page By AMANDA SCHAFFER 2011

  • He attached a tiny light called a mignon lamp to the end of a rod that he inserted into his scopes.

    NYT > Home Page By AMANDA SCHAFFER 2011

  • The chef does an excellent job of grilling Café Olé's filet mignon, which is not only practically fork tender, it also has rich flavor and was grilled to order.

    Queens Gazette 2009

  • “It may not have been filet mignon, but you sure enough ate this week!”

    American Grace Robert D. Putnam 2010

  • Over absurdly glamorous meals of filet mignon or sushi and, of course, lots of wine, I moaned to her about the clear downfall of my condition.

    Welcome to My World Johnny Weir 2011

  • We dined alone on the top floor of the hotel for every meal, feasting on filet mignon and skating gossip.

    Welcome to My World Johnny Weir 2011

  • All I know is I went there on a Saturday evening and being from the coast ordered a fillet mignon (medium) instead of seafood ... when it arrived it was served like it hit a hot grill for 2 seconds on each side and served raw and the veggies were cold, about the only good thing was the Margarita ...

    Tonala 2009

  • On the menu: The Wolfgang Puck menu featured barbecue pork shank, paella, tortelloni with summer truffles, fingerling potatoes, asparagus, heirloom tomatoes with mozzarella, garlic shrimp, scallops and filet mignon.

    HBO guests enjoy a lavish presentation 2009

  • He does get a bit picky in his expectations for this small time townlet, but at least he doesn't go into raptures of delight over a greasy burger or a steak house passing top sirloin off as filet mignon.

    An Amusing Story 2009

  • He said he was peppered with so many questions from the former hostages about his daily life as a cadet that he never got to finish his filet mignon.

    Former Iran hostages reunite at West Point 2011

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